Craft Activities based on The Fairy Dancers
I have always been keen about sewing, knitting and other hand-crafts, skills I am grateful that my grandmother, Hilda, took the time to teach me. Over the past couple of years, I have particularly enjoyed working with a number of fabrics based on Cheryl Orsini’s beautiful illustrations.
Here are patterns for some of the craft items I have designed or made (including several based on my books). Some of the patterns are free and can be downloaded directly from this site. Others link directly to Sprout or Spoonflower as noted. Please note that the free patterns are being offered on the condition that they are not sold or used to make items for sale. Do not redistribute them without the copyright information or in anything other than the original format.
Fountain Pen/Crochet Hook Rollup
(FREE PATTERN)
I designed this pattern to make a wrap in which I could carry my fountain pens when I travel. The pattern holds 8 pens, but can be adjusted to hold more; by adjusting the size and number of the slots, it can also be used to carry crochet hooks, double pointed knitting needles, coloured pencils or whatever else you need to carry around with you.
The pattern is not difficult to make. You will need a basic sewing machine to complete it.
Fairy Dancers Toadstool Tuffet
FREE PATTERN
HOW TO MAKE A FAIRY DANCERS TOADSTOOL TUFFET (Free Pattern Download)
I’ve always had a thing about mushrooms and toadstools. There was always something magical about the way mushrooms would pop up in our garden after rain, particularly if they formed a “fairy ring” in the grass; so when I was writing the stories for The Fairy Dancers: Dancing Days, it seemed quite logical to include a fairy ring in one of the stories, “The Fairy Sleepover”.
Cheryl Orsini has included traditional red and white spotted toadstools in her illustrations for The Fairy Dancers, and some in even fancier colours for The Fairy Dancers, Dancing Days, so I thought it would be fun to make a tuffet, a floor cushion big enough for a child to sit on, that pays homage to the traditional favourite. So here are super-easy instructions to make a Fairy Dancers Tuffet for your own young Fairy Dancer to sit upon.
Have fun sewing, and please post copies of your work to my Fairy Dancers Pinterest board.
Mrs Mancini Book Bag
FREE PATTERN
When I give away copies of my books as presents, I love to make a special bag to fit it perfectly. People seem to love the bags almost as much as the books, and they are unbelievably simple to sew. These fabric bags are much nicer and more useful than paper wrapping or gift bags, and would be an excellent first machine sewing project for a child learning to sew.
The instructions are in two sizes: one for The Tales of Mrs Mancini and one for The Fairy Dancers, and of course, you can easily adapt them to suit whatever book you are giving away as a present.
Have fun sewing, and please post copies of your work to myMrs Mancini and Fairy Dancers Pinterest boards.
Order fabric from the Natalie and Cheryl Spoonflower Shop
Order garments and other items with the pattern pieces custom preprinted onto the fabric from Sprout Patterns.
For children’s craft activities and party favours, please visit the Makerspace tab.
More craft items based on my books can be seen on myMrs Mancini and Fairy Dancers Pinterest boards.
